Evolution and taxonomy of Mesozoic bryozoans

Bryozoans, especially cheilostomes, diversified significantly during the mid-late Mesozoic. However, phylogenetic, biogeographical and morphological patterns of diversification are poorly documented, mostly because of a lack of modern taxonomic studies.

Project aims:

A better understanding of the explosive radiation of cheilostomes is needed as this may have been triggered by a change in reproductive biology from broadcasting to brooding larvae.

We aim to illuminate this critical time in bryozoan evolution by taxonomic studies of: